BANKING ANALYTICS

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Petraeus: Afghan violence at peak level last week

The top U.S. war zone commander says violence hit an all-time high in Afghanistan last week, AP reported.

Gen. David Petraeus says there's no question that security in Afghanistan has deteriorated over the last two years. The general also told an audience Thursday that "there are still tough times ahead." He gave a speech at the Washington think-tank Center for a New American Security.

Petraeus leads U.S. Central Command, which spans from Egypt to Pakistan. The number of attacks last week in Afghanistan was not immediately available.

The general noted several challenges in Afghanistan he did not face in Iraq, such as the inability of U.S. troops to live among the local residents.